Pups on parade: MCSO to hold puppy parade in Phoenix for animal adoption

One of the puppies in Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's MASH program, which aims to rehab abused animals and adopt them out, shows off his outfit for Friday's parade. (Facebook/Sheriff Joe Arpaio's MASH Unit)

PHOENIX — This Halloween weekend, there will be plenty of bunnies and kittens roaming the Valley streets, but officials with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office want to kick off the holiday with some puppies on parade.

In order to increase adoption numbers from the county’s MASH unit, the Sheriff’s office is holding a Halloween-themed puppy parade in downtown Phoenix on Friday, according to a recent press release.

Beginning at noon, pups of all ages, sizes and costumes will make their way through the city from 3rd Avenue back to the Sheriff’s office.

Started by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in 2000, the MASH unit is a county program that houses, shelters and later adopts out animals that have been taken from abusive or neglectful owners.

While the parade hopes to raise awareness and adoption from the unit, it also kicks off this year’s Downtown Dog Walkers program, which allows city Public Defender volunteers to get some daily exercise with the help of a MASH pup.